Automated testing tools are essential for ensuring the reliability and quality of software apps. They assist software developers in automating the testing process and rapidly detect defects in the app code.
Jest is a famous JavaScript testing framework broadly used for testing React apps. But, there are various other automated test tools accessible that software developers can use for testing their apps. Based on their features, primary use, benefits, and disadvantages, we will compare Jest with other popular test automated tools like Jasmine, Mocha, Cypress, and Selenium. This comparison will assist software developers in selecting the most suitable automated testing framework for their projects.
As per the State of JavaScript 2021, the widely used and famous JavaScript testing frameworks & libraries in 2021 were Testing Library, Jest, Cypress, Vitest, Storybook, and Playwright. Among the top 10 are Mocha, Puppeteer, AVA, Jasmine, and WebdriverIO.
What is a JavaScript Testing Framework?
A JavaScript tests framework is a tool that assists software developers in automating the process of testing their JavaScript code. It gives tools and libraries that make writing, organizing, and executing tests for JavaScript apps simple.
JavaScript testing frameworks usually provide a suite of traits, such as:
- Assertion libraries: Libraries that assist you in defining the projected outcomes of your tests.
- Test runners: Tools that execute your tests and give feedback on whether they fail or pass.
- Mocking and stubbing libraries: Tools that allow you to simulate varied scenarios in your testing.
- Code coverage analysis: Tools that compute the percentage of your application code covered by testing.
- Test reporting: Tools that create reports on test outputs and help you visualize the outcomes.
Some popular JavaScript test frameworks count Jest, Mocha, Jasmine, & QUnit. Such frameworks have different weaknesses and strengths, and software developers may pick to use one or more of them depending on the requirements of their project.
Let us compare Jest with some of the other well-known test automation tools like Jasmine, Mocha, Cypress, and Selenium.
But before that, we will also discuss why the unit test is significant. Hence, without further ado, let us get started!
Note– You can execute Jest automation testing in parallel faster than any other automated tests grid on LambdaTest’s online grid.
Why do we require Unit Testing?
Unit testing is a crucial part of software development as it ensures that individual units or elements of a codebase function as projected in isolation. Here are a few chief reasons unit tests are essential:
- Early detection of errors: Unit tests are usually written before the software code they test. By running tests before the code, software developers can find and fix issues early in the development procedure before the codebase becomes too complex and extensive.
- Improved code quality: Writing tests necessitates software developers to think critically about their source code and its projected behavior. This process can assist in recognizing areas of code that are difficult to maintain or poorly designed.
- Speedy feedback cycles: Running unit testing is often faster than executing integration or end-to-end tests, letting software developers get feedback on their modifications more rapidly.
- Improved code maintainability: Unit tests offer a safety net for refactoring and code modifications. When software developers make alterations to the code, they can execute the current tests to guarantee that their alterations didn’t break existing functionality.
- Reduced risk of regression: When alterations are made to the codebase, previously working functionality may likely be obstructed. By executing unit tests, software developers can rapidly detect regressions and fix them before they become huge issues.
Jest, Jasmine, plus Mocha have gained fame as such tools are necessary for integration tests, unit tests, & end-to-end tests. Its scope is not restricted to JavaScript; it also supports TypeScript.
What is Jest?
Jest is the most preferred testing framework designed by Facebook. Initially created to simplify UI testing for developers using React. Currently, it has evolved into a comprehensive set of tools that can be used for any type of JavaScript project, including Node.js. It comprises features like a built-in assertion library, code coverage, and mocking. Jest also executes multiple test suites simultaneously, which can speed up the entire test process. The downside of parallel implementation is it can make debugging testing highly arduous.
Jest validates more or less everything around JavaScript, particularly the browser rendering of web apps, making it the best Javascript testing framework.
Jest Data on NPM & GitHub
The Jest is the most popular test framework for JavaScript, with a noteworthy presence on NPM & GitHub.
- On NPM, this framework had over 27 million downloads in the August 2021 month alone, & has been downloaded over 430 million times since its initial launch. It is presently the second downloaded package in the “test” category after Mocha on NPM.
- On GitHub, this test framework has over 35,000 stars & around 1,700 contributors. The project has been active ever since its initial launch in 2014 & has seen steady updates and launches. Several high-profile projects and companies, including Spotify, Facebook, and Airbnb, also use it.
Overall, the adoption and popularity of Jest on both GitHub and NPM suggest that it is a highly regarded and extensively used framework in the JavaScript community.
Who uses Jest?
Prominent companies that adopt Jest in their tech stack are Airbnb, Facebook, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Spotify, Walmart, Tesla, The Travel Perk, New York Times, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
Benefits of Jest JavaScript Testing Framework
Jest is a famous JavaScript testing framework that offers various benefits for software developers looking to write effective and comprehensive tests. Here are a few benefits of Jest:
- Easy setup: Jest is simple to use and set up, with the least configuration required. It comprises everything you need, counting a mocking library, an assertion library, and a code coverage tool.
- Speedy & parallel execution: Jest runs tests in parallel, making it speedier than other test frameworks. It also uses a robust test runner that only executes the tests that are affected by alterations, further minimizing test times.
- Snapshot testing: It provides a great snapshot testing feature that lets you capture the outcome of a function or component and compare it against an earlier saved “snapshot”. This makes it simple to spot unpredicted changes in your code.
- Built-in mocking: It comes with a built-in stubbing and mocking library, which makes Jest easy to simulate various scenarios in your testing. This can assist you in testing your code extremely thoroughly and ensure that it works as expected in various situations.
- Code coverage: Jest includes a built-in code coverage tool that measures the percentage of code covered by testing. This can aid you in detecting areas of your codebase that require more testing.
- Integration with other tools: It can be easily incorporated with other tools such as Webpack, Babel, and ESLint.
Overall, Jest is an easy-to-use and powerful testing framework that can aid you in writing better testing faster. Its fast execution, and built-in features make it a favorite choice amongst JavaScript developers.
Drawbacks of Jest
While Jest is a famous and extensively-used testing framework for JavaScript, there are a few potential cons or disadvantages to consider:
- Large size: This test framework is a relatively huge testing framework, which can make it steady to download and use in contrast to other smaller frameworks.
- Complexity: It comes with several built-in features & configurations, making it highly complex to set up & use, particularly for a novice.
- Opinionated: It is an opinionated framework, meaning that it has a specific way of doing things that might not align with your preferences or development pattern.
- Limited browser support: Jest is designed predominantly for testing on Node.js & has restricted assistance for testing in the web browser. This can be a difficulty if you require to test web apps that require a web browser environment.
- Documentation: Whilst Jest has extensive documentation, a few users have noted that it could be hard or overwhelming to navigate, particularly for highly advanced use cases.
Other than the above ones listed, here are a few of the disliked sides of Jest amongst software developers who picked “used it & wouldn’t use it again.”
Comparison of Jest with Mocha, Jasmine, Selenium, and Cypress based on some significant criteria:
| Tool | Language | Testing Level | Runner | Assertions | Mocking | Parallel Execution | Browser Support |
| Jest | JavaScript | Unit, Integration | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Yes |
| Mocha | JavaScript | Unit, Integration | Third-party | Third-party | Third-party | Third-party | No |
| Jasmine | JavaScript | Unit, Integration | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Third-party | Yes |
| Selenium | JavaScript | End-to-End | Third-party | Third-party | Third-party | Third-party | Yes |
| Cypress | JavaScript | End-to-End | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in | Yes |
Note: Third-party usually means that the feature is provided through an individual library or plugin that requires to be installed individually.
Based on the above contrast, here are some key takeaways:
- Language
Jest, Jasmine, Cypress, and Mocha are all based on JavaScript, while Se (selenium) supports several languages.
- Testing Level
Jasmine, Jest, and Mocha are mainly used for integration and unit testing, while Cypress and Selenium are perfectly designed for E2E testing.
- Runner
Jest & Jasmine have built-in runners, while Selenium and Mocha depend on 3rd-party runners. Cypress comes with its specific built-in runner.
- Assertions
Jest has a built-in assertion library, while Jasmine and Mocha need distinct assertion libraries. Cypress also has its assertion library.
- Mocking
Jest has a built-in mocking library, while Mocha and Jasmine require separate mocking libraries. Cypress also has its mocking library.
- Parallel Execution
Cypress and Jest have built-in support for parallel execution, while Jasmine and Mocha need extra configuration or third-party tools for this feature.
- Browser Support
Cypress and Selenium have built-in assistance to test in a browser environment, while Jasmine and Jest require extra configuration or 3rd-party libraries to allow browser testing.
Overall, Jest offers a comprehensive test solution with built-in support for several features like mocking, assertions, and parallel execution.
Who uses other popular test automation tools like Mocha, Jasmine, Selenium, and Cypress?
Several companies use popular test automation tools like Jasmine, Mocha, Selenium, and Cypress for test automation of their software apps. Here are some examples:
- Jasmine and Mocha are famous amongst JavaScript developers and are used by companies such as Microsoft, Netflix, and LinkedIn.
- Several companies use Selenium for E2E (end-to-end) testing of their web apps, including Amazon, Facebook, and Google.
- Cypress is the newest tool that has gained popularity and is used by companies such as CircleCI, Intuit, and Crunchbase.
These are just some examples, as various companies use diverse testing tools based on their precise requirements. The choice of testing tool eventually depends on the definite needs of the project, comprising the level of testing required, the type of app being tested, and the development environment.
Running your JavaScript testing on an online Selenium Grid
As web application development is becoming highly dynamic, software developers are projected to roll out an advanced version of the app in the shortest release cycles. As the testing requires to go hand in hand with the development velocity, it is natural for software developers to look for tools that can make their job faster, more efficient, reliable, and at the same time, cost-effective.
LambdaTest is one such tool. It is a scalable cloud-centric cross-browser test platform allowing you to run your Selenium automated scripts on an online Selenium Grid on 2000+ distinct virtual browsers and OS combinations. Therefore, you can now perform your test cases of JavaScript automated tests on a Selenium infrastructure with security & ease.
LambaTest now incorporates famous test automation frameworks for boosting your go-to-market delivery. The great news is that whatsoever your test framework – Jest, Jasmine, Mocha, Karma, Protractor, etc. – LambdaTest has got it all covered!
LambdaTest is a cloud-based digital experience testing platform that allows developers and testers to test mobile and web applications over 3000+ different browsers and OS combinations. LambdaTest allows you to integrate with different tools and frameworks. Here is a list of LambdaTest integrations. Additionally, LambdaTest offers you the infrastructure to run your automation tests and confirm your development code renders flawlessly through an on-cloud Selenium Grid. Moreover, you can drastically trim down your test cycles through parallel tests.
Some information about the strengths & weaknesses of each tool:
- Jest: Jest is a famous testing framework that is extensively used for unit tests in JavaScript. It has many built-in traits that make it simple, such as excellent integration with tools like React, snapshot testing, and robust mocking functionality. Jest is a decent choice for software developers who want a simple-to-use testing framework with several built-in features.
- Jasmine and Mocha: Jasmine and Mocha are common testing frameworks used for unit tests in JavaScript. They have been around for an extended time and have a huge community of users. Jasmine and Mocha are highly customizable and flexible, but they need additional configuration and setup than Jest.
- Cypress: Cypress is the newest tool that has gained popularity because of its ease of use and robust features. It is regularly used by developers who want to run end-to-end tests of their web apps, focusing on reliability and speed. It has an intuitive UI and gives real-time feedback, making it simple to debug testing.
- Selenium: Selenium is an extensively-used tool for end-to-end tests and browser automation. It lets developers for automating browser activities and tests the functionality of their web app across diverse platforms and browsers. Selenium is a decent choice for developers who must test web apps across various browsers & platforms.
In summary, selecting a testing tool depends on your requirements and needs. Jest is an excellent choice for software testers and developers who want a simple-to-use testing framework with various built-in features. Jasmine and Mocha are highly customizable and flexible. Selenium is a better choice for testing web apps across platforms and browsers, whereas Cypress is a pect for end-to-end testing.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Jest better than Jasmine or Mocha for testing React applications?
Jest is designed to function well with React apps and has a lot of built-in traits that make testing React elements simple and easy. But Jasmine and Mocha are famous testing frameworks that can test React apps with a little setup and configuration.
Can Jest be used for E2E testing like Cypress or Selenium?
Jest is chiefly designed for unit testing and doesn’t have a similar level of browser automation capacities as Cypress or Selenium. But, Jest can be used in conjunction with several other tools, such as Playwright or Puppeteer, to run E2E testing.
Which tool is faster – Jest, Jasmine, Mocha, Selenium, or Cypress?
The speed of a testing tool relies on multiple factors, such as the complexity and size of the particular app being tested, the network and hardware resources accessible, and the form of testing being performed. But Cypress is well-known for its reliability and speed, specifically for end-to-end testing.
Which tool is simpler to learn and use – Jest, Jasmine, Mocha, Selenium, or Cypress?
The ease of using and learning a testing tool depends on the user’s familiarity with the programming language, experience with the tool’s documentation, and community support. Cypress and Jest and often considered simpler to use and learn due to their extensive documentation and intuitive interfaces.
Can Jest test non-JavaScript code, such as Java or Python?
Jest is chiefly designed to test JavaScript code and isn’t well-suited to test non-JavaScript code. But, other test frameworks, such as JUnit for Java or Pytest for Python, are best suited to test code in those languages.
Jest is chiefly designed to test JavaScript code and isn’t well-suited to test non-JavaScript code. But, other test frameworks, such as JUnit for Java or Pytest for Python, are best suited to test code in those languages.
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